- Greece Succumbs in the 93rd -

INTERNATIONAL SOCCER FRIENDLY

Australia

1 - 0

Greece

Leckie 90'+3'

Australia scored a goal in the final minute of stoppage time to defeat Greece 1-0 in Sydney. The Greek team put on a below average performance and fell in their second straight friendly match. Greece will play Australia again on Tuesday in Melbourne.

Greece played the Aussies in their first of two friendlies in Australia. The National Team was welcomed by the Greeks in Sydney, creating a welcoming atmosphere at the ANZ Stadium. Greece was the better side in the opening 10 minutes and came close to the first goal of the match. Vellios missed a great chance in the 3rd minute when his shot grazed the top of the bar. The Australians took control of the game after the 10th minute as the Greek team began to focus on their defensive play. Karnezis was subbed out in the 14th minute due to an injury and Kapino took his place. Kapino made fantastic saves as Australia heavily pressed in Greece’s half and created great chances to score. In the second half, Australia failed to threaten the Greek goal as Greece balanced out the game and stood firm in the back. In the 75th minute, Holebas’ free-kick was met by Torosidis’ header, but the ball went over the bar. Australia kept pressing and sent their first warning in the 80th minute, when Sainsbury’s shot from the middle of the penalty area hit the woodwork. Cahill’s header from a corner found the back of the net in the 90th minute but the goal was called back. The linesmen ruled that the ball had crossed the goal line and was out of play. Australia’s winner came with seconds to play when Leckie’s shot on the turn beat Kapino, giving Australia the 1-0 win.

It seemed that Skibbe used today’s friendly to focus on Greece’s defensive play. In previous friendly matches against Montenegro and Iceland, Greece was problematic in the back while showing an improvement on the offensive end. Today, Greece held Australia for the majority of the game, but succumbed in the final seconds. Manolas, Mitroglou, and Fortounis were missing from today’s game while Bakasetas made his debut for the national team. Greece will play Australia in another friendly match on Tuesday in Melbourne.